Romans 3:6

KJV

God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

KJV (with Strong's)

God forbid {G3361}{G1096}: for then {G1893} how {G4459} shall {G2919} God {G2316} judge {G2919} the world {G2889}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Heaven forbid! Else, how could God judge the world?

Berean Standard Bible

Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?

American Standard Version

God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 3:6 serves as a forceful refutation by the Apostle Paul against a dangerous theological misstep: the notion that human unrighteousness could somehow magnify God's righteousness to the extent that it would negate His right or ability to judge the world. Paul emphatically declares that such a conclusion is unthinkable, for if God were unable to justly condemn sin, His very role as the sovereign and righteous Judge of all humanity would be undermined and rendered meaningless.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in Paul's sustained argument in the early chapters of Romans, where he systematically establishes the universal reign of sin over both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 1:18-3:20). Having demonstrated that all humanity stands condemned under God's wrath, Paul anticipates a potential objection in [Romans 3:5](/romans/3-5 "Romans 3:5 - God's Righteousness and Human Unrighteousness"): "But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance?" [Romans 3:6](/romans/3-6 "Romans 3:6 - God's Right to Judge") is Paul's immediate, sharp, and unequivocal response to this hypothetical challenge, using a strong rhetorical device to shut down any thought that God's justice could be compromised by human sin. It sets the stage for his grand exposition of justification by faith in the verses that follow, beginning with [Romans 3:21](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21 - Righteousness Through Faith").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. The Jewish background would have been deeply familiar with the concept of God as a righteous judge, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Genesis 18:25](/genesis/18-25 "Genesis 18:25 - Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"), [Psalm 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - He shall judge the world in righteousness")). The cultural context also included various philosophical schools that debated the nature of justice and divine intervention. Paul's argument here directly confronts any Hellenistic or even Jewish-Christian tendency to rationalize sin or diminish God's absolute moral authority. The question of how a righteous God interacts with a sinful world was a fundamental theological concern, and Paul's answer firmly upholds God's character.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by [Romans 3:6](/romans/3-6 "Romans 3:6 - God's Right to Judge") is the **absolute necessity and righteousness of God's judgment**. Paul asserts that God's very nature as the supreme moral authority requires Him to judge sin; without this capacity, His claim to be "God" and "Judge of the world" would be void. This verse also highlights the **universality of sin and accountability**, reinforcing the point made earlier in [Romans 3:9-19](/romans/3-9-19 "Romans 3:9-19 - All Under Sin") that "all are under sin." Furthermore, it implicitly introduces the theme of **God's unwavering justice**, which cannot be manipulated or negated by human actions, no matter how paradoxical the human reasoning might seem. The phrase "God forbid" also emphasizes Paul's **rhetorical strategy** of emphatically rejecting false conclusions, a technique he employs repeatedly in Romans to guide his readers to sound theological understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God forbid (Greek, _mḗ genoito'_):** This powerful idiomatic expression combines the particle of qualified negation **mḗ (G3361)**, meaning "not" or "lest," with the optative form of **gínomai (G1096)**, meaning "to become" or "to happen." Together, "God forbid" (or "may it not be," "certainly not," "far from it") serves as a vehement rejection of a suggested idea, expressing a strong wish that something should never occur. It conveys Paul's utter abhorrence of the conclusion that God's righteousness could be used to excuse human unrighteousness or undermine His right to judge.
* **judge (Greek, _krínō'_):** This verb **krínō (G2919)** properly means "to distinguish" or "to decide," but in a judicial context, it signifies "to try," "to condemn," or "to punish." Here, it unequivocally refers to God's exercise of His divine authority to assess, condemn, and administer justice for sin. It implies a moral evaluation leading to a definitive verdict and consequent action.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** The term **kósmos (G2889)**, meaning "orderly arrangement" or "decoration," is used here by implication to refer to "the world" in a wide sense, including its inhabitants. In this context, it denotes the entire human race, emphasizing the universal scope of God's authority and judgment over all people, without exception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"God forbid:"** This is Paul's immediate and emphatic rejection of the premise presented in the previous verse—that if human unrighteousness highlights God's righteousness, then God would be unjust in punishing that unrighteousness. It is a rhetorical exclamation, signifying that the idea is utterly unacceptable and blasphemous. Paul uses this phrase to signal that the line of reasoning is fundamentally flawed and must be dismissed outright.
* **"for then how shall God judge the world?"** This rhetorical question serves as the logical consequence of the rejected premise. If God's righteousness were somehow dependent on or excused by human sin in such a way that it negated His right to punish, then His very capacity to act as the universal Judge would be compromised. The question implies an obvious answer: if God cannot judge, then He is not truly God in the full sense of His righteous and sovereign character. It highlights the absurdity of the opposing view by showing its devastating implications for God's moral governance of creation.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "how shall God judge the world?" This is not a question seeking information but rather a device to make an obvious point, implying that the alternative (God *cannot* judge) is unthinkable and absurd. It forces the reader to acknowledge the foundational truth of God's judicial authority. Following this, Paul uses a strong **Exclamation** or **Interjection** with "God forbid" (μὴ γένοιτο), which functions as an emphatic rejection. This phrase is a form of **Apostrophe**, directly addressing and dismissing the erroneous conclusion. Furthermore, the entire verse operates as an **Argumentum ad Absurdum**, where Paul takes the opponent's flawed logic to its logical, yet absurd, conclusion to demonstrate its fallacy. If the premise (human sin makes God unjust in judging) were true, it would lead to an unacceptable outcome: God's inability to judge the world, which is contrary to His very nature and role.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores the inseparability of God's righteousness from His role as Judge. The very character of God demands that He uphold justice and condemn sin. To suggest that human sin could somehow nullify God's right to judge is to fundamentally misunderstand His nature and sovereignty. God's judgment is not arbitrary but flows from His perfect holiness and justice. It is the necessary outworking of His moral order in a fallen world. Without the capacity to judge, God would cease to be the sovereign, righteous, and holy God revealed in Scripture, and the entire moral fabric of the universe would unravel. This foundational truth sets the stage for understanding the depth of human need for a divine solution to sin.

* [Genesis 18:25](/genesis/18-25 "Genesis 18:25 - Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?")
* [Psalm 9:7-8](/psalms/9-7-8 "Psalm 9:7-8 - The Lord is enthroned forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness.")
* [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 3:6 stands as a stark reminder of the non-negotiable reality of God's righteous judgment. We cannot rationalize our sin or diminish its severity by attempting to twist theological truths to our advantage. The fact that God *will* judge the world means that every person is accountable before Him. This truth should instill a healthy fear of the Lord, not a paralyzing dread, but a profound reverence that leads to repentance and a serious consideration of our standing before a holy God. It compels us to acknowledge our sinfulness and our desperate need for the salvation that God Himself has provided. Rather than trying to excuse ourselves, we are called to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, recognizing that His judgment is just and His mercy is our only hope. This verse serves as a powerful call to embrace the good news of the gospel, which offers a way to be declared righteous before this very Judge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment impact my view of sin in my own life?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to rationalize or minimize my own unrighteousness, perhaps by subtly implying it serves some "greater good"?**
* **If God did not judge the world, what would that imply about His character and the nature of justice?**
* **How does the truth of God's righteous judgment motivate me to seek His salvation and live in accordance with His will?**

### FAQ

**What does Paul mean by "God forbid" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "God forbid" translates the Greek idiom _mē genoito_ (μὴ γένοιτο), which is a very strong expression of negation. Paul uses it to vehemently reject a hypothetical, dangerous, or blasphemous conclusion that someone might draw from his preceding argument. In [Romans 3:5](/romans/3-5 "Romans 3:5 - God's Righteousness and Human Unrighteousness"), Paul raised the question: "If our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, is God unrighteous to inflict wrath?" His "God forbid" in [Romans 3:6](/romans/3-6 "Romans 3:6 - God's Right to Judge") is his emphatic "Absolutely not!" or "May it never be!" to the idea that God could be deemed unjust for punishing sin, even if human sin somehow highlights His righteousness. It's a rhetorical device to shut down a flawed line of reasoning immediately.

**Why is it so crucial that God "judge the world"?**

Answer: It is crucial that God "judge the world" because His ability to judge is fundamental to His character as a righteous and holy God. If God could not or would not judge sin, it would imply that He is either not truly sovereign, not perfectly just, or not holy enough to condemn evil. The very concept of a moral universe, with right and wrong, depends on a supreme moral authority who will ultimately hold all accountable. As [Genesis 18:25](/genesis/18-25 "Genesis 18:25 - Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?") asks, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" The answer is unequivocally yes. God's judgment ensures that justice will ultimately prevail, that evil will not go unpunished, and that His perfect standard of righteousness is upheld over all creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 3:6, by asserting God's non-negotiable right to judge the world, lays the groundwork for understanding the profound necessity of Christ's redemptive work. If God *must* judge sin, then humanity, universally condemned by its unrighteousness, faces an inescapable verdict. The glory of the gospel, then, is that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, provided the means for His righteous judgment to be satisfied without compromising His justice. This is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is not only the appointed Judge of all humanity ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son") and [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed")), but also the one who bore the judgment for sin on the cross. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ became the propitiation for our sins, demonstrating God's righteousness in both condemning sin and justifying the ungodly who believe in Jesus ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.")). Thus, the very judgment that [Romans 3:6](/romans/3-6 "Romans 3:6 - God's Right to Judge") declares as inevitable is met and overcome in the person and work of Christ, offering a path to righteousness and life for all who trust in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 18:25

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Acts 17:31

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Job 8:3

Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Psalms 50:6

And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God [is] judge himself. Selah.

Romans 2:16

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Psalms 96:13

Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Psalms 98:9

Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.